Christmas 2015 at Walt Disney World

OVERVIEW: CHRISTMAS 2015 AT DISNEY WORLD

The Christmas season at Walt Disney World includes both the best and the worst times to visit, with both prices and crowds at both lower and very high levels over the period.

Decorations, special Christmas shows, programs, and events, and Christmas trees are everywhere, making Disney World as special a place to celebrate the holidays as you can find.

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

December crowds at Walt Disney World begin at lower levels. They will begin to build on 12/19, and by 12/23 will hit their highest levels of the year, where they will stay until about January 2, 2016

Walt Disney World resort hotel December prices at the beginning of the month are at one of the lower levels of the year.

On 12/11 they go up a lot at the moderates and values, to 33-45% higher than the lowest of the year, and on December 18, 2015, they increase to 55-85% higher than the lowest levels of the year.

Deluxe prices go up some the 11th, more the 18th, and even more the 25th.

December weather is cooler and variable. While the average daily high is 73, this masks tremendous variability.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

Each of the parks has wonderful Christmas decorations, and most have special Christmas events, which begin in early November or right around Thanksgiving.

At the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party—a special event that requires its own ticket—runs on many nights through the first two-thirds of the month. Later in the month, its signature events—a special Christmas parade, and special Christmas fireworks—are available to all guests. Christmas decor is in place by the night of the first party–in 2015, November 8

At Epcot, the evening fireworks show Illuminations has special Christmas additions. In addition, most nights Christmas carols are sung by massed choirs in the Candlelight Processional. Many of the countries in Epcot’s World Showcase have special Christmas events as part of Epcot’s Holidays Around the World program. Epcot’s special events usually begin the Friday after Thanksgiving–November 27 in 2015

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Christmas celebration is the Osborne holiday lights in the Streets of America area. The evening opening ceremony is 6p. These typically begin in early November. There’s rumors that there’s some possibility these will be canceled in 2015 for construction

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2015/2016 AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

New Year’s Eve festivities will occur December 31, 2015 at Disney World’s Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios theme parks, and also at the Magic Kingdom on December 30. The Animal Kingdom in the past has had no special New Years events.

Nothing is official yet, but based on the past, the schedule will look like this:

Epcot likely will be open until 1a on New Year’s Eve; Disney’s Hollywood Studios until midnight for the general public, and 2a for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests; and the Magic Kingdom until 1a or later

The Magic Kingdom likely will have Wishes at 7.30p and special New Year’s Eve fireworks at 11.50p

Epcot likely will have its Illuminations fireworks show at 6p and 11.40p, plus DJs in various pavilions.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios likely will have fireworks at midnight, and several sets over the evening from “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” a live band

Note that alcohol is not available at the Magic Kingdom, but is available at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Magic Kingdom likely will have the same fireworks at the same times on 12/30. This date will likely be a little less crowded than 12/31.

RELATED STUFF

We are planning on going Nov. 8th thru Nov. 15th. That usally in the past that most of the lights and decorations are up . If they do have construction at HS wonder if it will be every night it will be closed. Sure hope not. We all are in wonder over the Osburne LIghts. Young and older alike. Thanks for all your info I always come to your page before planning our next Magical vacation.

Tina, as time passes, it feel more like a rumor. My guess is that we’ll get a big HS announcement (e.g. about Pixar, Star Wars, etc, and implications for the rest of the park including the Lights) one of these days–perhaps at the August D23 thingy–which will provide more clarity…

Hey Dave! Awesome (and extremely useful) site you’ve got here. I was wondering if you know if Disney usually runs any promotions from mid to late January (I’m not sure how they apply discount percentages, as I’ve seen they go from 15 to 30%). Actually, I have almost everything planned out for a December visit this year (12/15~12/23), but the more I read about the crowds and the waiting times, the more stressed that I get. I already have the free dining plan, but the crowds are making me give that up (especially at Universal and IOA for WWoHP). I’ll be travelling with a 12 yo child. Any advice? Thanks!

Patricia, room rate deals are common then–figure 15% off the values, 20% off the moderates, and 25% off the deluxes. Your December dates will be fine through the 18th but pretty nasty after. In your shoes, I’d do January.

Jeannine, first you want to arrive well before rope drop, not “at rope drop”–you likely already knew that but just to be sure!

Second keep your eye out for 8a opens, morning extra magic hours and such, some of which might even be added the day before.

Long waits start building at 11 and peak mid-afternoon. Target your FastPass+ for 11a-2p.

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